Television control interface with electronic guide

Abstract

An on-screen menu method and system for controlling the functions of integrated electronic devices and a television schedule system and method for displaying television schedule information on a television screen includes a program guide having a schedule information area that depicts the programs that are being presented on each channel at each time during the day and an interconnected series of menus to control the features of the integrated electronic devices. An input device allows the viewer to move a pointer over different interactive areas of the guide and the function performed when the area is activated is displayed in a contextual help window. Various control glyphs provide for recursive interaction with the guide.

1 - 33 . (canceled)  
     
     
         34 . A method for displaying interactive program data, the method comprising: 
 displaying a plurality of program listings, including at least one listing for a current program; and    graphically depicting the passage of time to visually indicate the current time and the time remaining for the at least one listing by changing how the at least one listing is displayed.    
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein changing how the at least one listing is displayed comprises displaying a shadow proceeding across the at least one listing.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein changing how the at least one listing is displayed comprises changing the background color of a portion of the at least one listing for the current program.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein displaying a plurality of program listings further comprises displaying at least one listing for a future program.  
     
     
         38 . A system for displaying interactive program data, the system comprising a display controller and a processor, the processor configured to: 
 direct the display controller to display a plurality of program listings, including at least one listing for a current program; and    direct the display controller to graphically depict the passage of time to visually indicate the current time and the time remaining for the at least one listing by changing how the at least one listing is displayed.    
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 38  wherein the processor is further configured to direct the display controller to display a shadow proceeding across the at least one listing.  
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 38  wherein the processor is further configured to direct the display controller to change the background color of a portion of the at least one listing.  
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 38  wherein the processor is further configured to direct the display controller to display at least one listing for a future program.